The Spirit of Sharing (SOS) Charity

Reflection of the great work completed in 2010

This year's activities actually got underway in mid 2009 during a visit to Fiji, when Peter Cole was asked if he could take on a major project that was in urgent need, It was to fund a 40 bed dormitory at a secondary college on Fiji's garden island, Taveuni.

Peter immediately agreed, when he was made aware that it had been identified as the number one most urgent project for the Taveuni Rotary Club. That group has stringent criteria on project application so that the most urgent projects are completed first.

Peter also agreed to take on the second most important task... the purchase of five 5000Litre water tanks for Naselesele Primary school, also on Taveuni. This particular project was to help avoid another typhoid outbreak within the school. Last year more than 40 children contracted the disease.

Throughout 2010

The Spirit of Sharing also continued its traditional work of buying and distributing sporting equipment for under-resourced school communities, and gathering medical equipment, again for identified schools and hospitals.

Raising the many thousands of dollars of funds needed was never going to be easy but with the help of many wonderful people Peter managed to gather the funds.

October 10th was the departure date for Peter. He left excited to be making a huge difference in many lives through out Fiji.

The first couple of weeks were spent planning the logistics required to get 2 shipping containers into the country, and then onto barges headed for the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Also heading to Fiji were 10 volunteers from several Melbourne Rotary Clubs. It was planned they would help with the construction of the 40 bed dormitory and installation of water tanks at two schools.

The shipments

Peter received the delivery of one of the containers he sent in Savusavu (a small yachting village on Vanua Levu) one Saturday morning. He organized a team of 15 locals to help unload it at the Savusavu hospital, half was for the hospital and the other half for the Taveuni hospital.

Then Peter left with the containers to Taveuni on the boat from Savusavu to Taveuni. In Taveuni all the remaining contents in the containers were unpacked in a storage shed before being sorted over the coming days and distributed accordingly.

16 lucky schools, all there are in Taveuni, became the lucky recipients of brand new sporting equipment and educational gear thanks to donors in Australia. The Taveuni hospital received a quantity of medical equipment too.

Each member of the team received their uniform and the following day set off on their task. For the next 10 days they didn't stop, everyone left absolutely exhausted!

The work proceeded according to plan. The work was 75% complete when the Australian contingent had to return. The project plan was handed over in good order to the Rotary Club of Taveuni.

But the dormitories are vital for the community's future. Without the facilities, these girls would have no opportunity to receive secondary education; most of them are from outer islands that only have primary schools.

How can you help?

If you are able to assist please email petercole99@hotmail.com, use the contact form below or call 0439-997-583. This year's project evolved in so many ways, with help from more than 15 Rotary Clubs within Australia, two Rotary Districts, 'Safe Water Save Lives' program, many companies and hundreds of fantastic people.

A total budget of more than $80,000AUD was raised and 12 Volunteers joined the trip, working tirelessly to complete their tasks.